Lawson was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a future first-round pick in a draft night trade on June 25, 2009.

The former North Carolina Tar Heel was selected in the first round (18th overall) of the 2009 NBA Draft and has averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 23.6 minutes in two seasons with Denver.